Dial scale indicator



Feb. 5, 1952 L. s. WILLIAMS DIAL SCALE: INDICATQR Filed May 10.- 15o i dicator.

Patented Feb. 5, 1952 DIAL SCALE INDICATOR Lawrence. S.V.Williams, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Toledo Scale Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 10, 1950, Serial No. 161,196 s claims. (c1. 11s-136.5)

The invention relates to weighing scale indicators and in particular to an improved and mechanically simplified indicator for a dial scale.

A dial scale is usually provided with an annular chart and a centrally mounted indicator the tip of which sweeps over the chart and cooperates with the indicator on the shaft to show the magnitude of the load being weighed. To be commercially satisfactory the indicator of a dial scale must have reasonably good appearance.

It must also be equipped with adjustable balance weights because certain errors in indication of the scale are corrected by unbalancing the in- Furthermore known types of indicator construction require that', both the face of the housing and the back cover be removed in order to adjust the load counterbalancing mechanism.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved indicator of simple form constructed so that its balance adjustments may be easily reached from the rear of the dial housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a weighing scale indicator that is easy to construct and that is readily adaptable to various scale constructions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a weighing scale indicator with spring locked counterbalance weights so that the balance of the indicator may be adjusted without the use of tools.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a weighting scale indicator with a spring held cover that conceals the hub and balance weight structure of the indicator.

More specific objects and advantages are apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

According to the invention the improved indicator comprises a generally T-shaped spider thatl is fitted with a collet for mounting the spider on an indicator shaft, that has an indicator arm attached to and extending radially from the stem of the T-shaped spider, and that has a pair of Figure II is a vertical section taken substantially along the line II-II of Figure I.

Figure III is a fragmentary elevation of the spider portion of the improved indicator with the cover removed.

Figure IV is a transverse section of one of the arms and the balance weight thereon as seen from the line IV-IV of Figure I.

Figure V is a section through the stem of the spider and the indicator arm attached thereto kas seen from the line V-V of Figure I.

threaded arms attached to the spider and lying These specific figures and the accompanyingV description are intended merely to illustrate the` invention and notl to limit its scope.

The improved weighing scale vindicator comprises a spider I that is generally'T-shapedkin front elevation having a stem portion 2, a head portion 3 and a side arm 4. A collet assembly 5, also shown in Figure II, is attached to the spider I by means of four small screws 6.V

Referring to Figure II the collet assembly 5,

hole in a washer I I arranged to clamp the spider I to the flanged sleeve 9.

An indicator arm I2 fashioned with a knife edge tip I3 is securely anchored to the spider I by having its other end I4 clamped between the washer II and the spider I. The indicator arm I2 has flanges I5 that partially embrace the stem 2 of the spider I. A pair of the threaded arms I6 and II are attached to the spider I, the threaded arm I6 being secured to the arm 4 so that it lies in the plane of the spider and parallel to the stem thereof. The threaded arm I'I is attached to the stem of the spider and extends in the plane of the spider and perpendicular to its stem. Balance weights I8 and I9 are threaded on the threaded arms I6 and i1 respectively and by adjustment along the threaded arms control the condition of balance of the complete indicator. Each of the balance weights I8 and I9, in addition to being internally threaded to match the threads of the arms I6 and I1, is also circumferentially grooved to receive a hairpin spring 20. The grooves are deepened on one side to break into the threaded section so that the springs 20, which are quite stiff, may frictionally engage the 3 threaded rods I6 and I'I to hold the balance weights I8 and I9 in adjusted position.

To fasten the threaded rods to the indicator and in particular to insure that the threaded arms I8 and II are in the plane of the spider and are mutually perpendicular, the side arm 4 and the stem of the spider areeach stamped to provide U-shaped channels 2l and 22 to receive the threaded rods and hold them in position While they are being welded, brazed or soldered into place.

The spider portion of the improved indicator is concealed from vieW behind a spun or stamped cap 23. The cap 23 which hasa shape similar to a shallow conical dish with an inturned rim 24 is held in position with one sideof the rim 24 hooked over the end of laterally directed arms 25 of the head portion 3 of the spider I and with the diametrically opposite side of the cover 23 hooked. over a spring 26 mounted in the stem 2 of the spider I.

In thisarrangement the cap or cover 23 may beteasily. installed orK removedfrommhe indicator without disturbing the adjustment of` any parts of the indicator. The frictionally held balance weights I8 and I9 may be easily adjustedalong the threaded rods I6 and I'Iv Whether the cap 23;is in place or not. If the cap 23 is in place theweights I8 and I9 are adjusted from the back side of the scale housing by reachingl through or past the load counterbalancing mechanism. This feature of easy adjustability makes it unnecessary to remove the front of the dial housing when making adjustments tothe scale.

The formation of the indicator arm I2 and the spider I from separate pieces make it possible to easily substitute different styles of indicator arms without altering the remainder of the assembly. Also, should different styles of indicator arms I2 vary Widely in Weight, additional counter The point of attachment of the threaded rodV I6. is immaterial. It may be mounted either from the arm 4 or from the arm 25 of the head 4 portion 3. The only requirement is that the threaded rod extend parallel to the stem 2 and perpendicular to the other threaded rod II.

Various modifications may be made in the specinc details of construction of the improved indicator Without departing from the spirit and scope of; the, invention.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. An indicator for a dial scale the indicator comprising a generally T-shaped spider having a bar, extending laterally from the stem, clamping means secured to the spider near the intersection of the stemz and bar of the T-shaped spider to mount thespider on a shaft, an indicator arm attached to and-extending in line with the stem of the-T-shaped spider, a pair of threaded arms one attached to the end of the bar and extending parallel tothe stem, the other attached to the stem of the T-shaped spider and extending parallel to the bar, a counterweight mounted. on each threaded arm, a spring attached to the spider and extending past the end of the stem of the spider, andA a cover supported in part by the spring and in part by the opposite end ofv the T;shaped.spider.'

2. An indicator for a dial scale, the indicator comprising a generally T-shaped spider, clamping means for mountingvthe spider on a shaft, an indicator arm attachedtoand extending radially from the stem of the T-shaped spider, a sidearm extending fromvthe stem of the T,shaped spider, a iirst threaded rod mounted on the spider; and extending parallel to the stem, a second threaded rodmounted on thewstem and extending perpendicular to the rst rod, and a counterweight threaded on each rod.

3. An indicator for a scale, the indicator comprising aspider, clamping means for mounting the spider ona shaft, an indicator arm attached to one leg. of vthe spider, a pair of threaded rods lying in the plane of the spider and perpendicular to each other, the rods each beingreceivedand secured in grooves in the spider, balance Weights,

threaded onto the rods, each balance weight having a cross groove deep enough to intersect the threaded bore of thecounterweight, and a spring clip engaged in the slot and frictionally engagin the threaded rod.

LAWRENCE S. WILLIAMS.

No references cited. 

